HARDY CONIFERS FOR PRIVATE ESTATES 97 



effect but they certainly did not apply to the winter of four years 

 ago. There was no lack of moisture in the summer of that season 

 and yet it was one of the most disastrous winters for conifers in 

 many years. 



Mr. Duncan asked what the Lecturer considered the best season 

 of the year for transplanting evergreen trees. 



Mr. Dunbar replied that he had had experience in planting 

 evergreens in all seasons. He had planted them in the spring, in 

 late summer, in the fall, and in midwinter. His most serious losses 

 came from fall planting. He considered that the spring, when 

 the buds began to swell, was, on the whole, the best time for this 

 work and he had moved successfully in late summer, after heavy 

 rains, a large number of white pines and spruces. 



R. W. Curtis inquired concerning the propagation of evergreens, 

 and what the Lecturer considered the best methods, whether by 

 cuttings or grafting. 



Mr. Dunbar stated that during the last few years he had propa- 

 gated about fifteen thousand by cuttings of yews, junipers, and the 

 different varieties of Thuya occidentalis. The best method was 

 to take the cuttings about the first of November and insert them in 

 a box of sand, about 4 X 22 X 15 inches in size. 



A box of these dimensions will hold about 200 cuttings. They 

 should be kept at a temperature of 40° to 45° under a gradually 

 rising temperature, and in two or three months will root quite 

 freely. Some varieties, however, will not root and usually have 

 to be grafted. He had not done much grafting of evergreens 

 but grafting had to be resorted to with the nursery varieties of 

 spruces, firs, pines, and many others to perpetuate them, as they 

 will not strike from cuttings. All the different species can be raised 

 from seeds, but that requires great care and watchfulness. 



INIr. Hollingworth asked concerning the white pine borer and if 

 an}thing could be done for a remedy. He had noticed in some 

 places that the older pines were dying and the borers at work in 

 them could be distinctly heard in the woods. 



Mr. Dunbar said that he had had no experience with them. 



T. D. Hatfield remarked that the borers attacked only the decay- 

 ing pines and did not trouble healthy trees. 



Joseph Clark stated that he had had much experience in growing 



